Spring has sprung and we have gardening on our minds. We couldn't think of a better time to share why we have fallen in love with greenhouse gardening.
Greenhouse gardening is growing in popularity
Did you know that the idea of growing plants in controlled environments has existed since the Roman times. Fast forward to the 21st century, many technological advances have been made to make greenhouses more efficient, affordable and user-friendly, which is empowering gardeners to turn a part-time hobby into a full-time passion.
Greenhouses are for all gardeners, whether you want to dedicate a few minutes or a few hours a day to gardening. If you have visions of your kitchen fully stocked with delicious, homegrown fruits and vegetables, then you're not alone. Greenhouse gardening is growing in popularity among vegetarians, vegans, raw vegans and foodies in general and it's no wonder as it offers many advantages over outdoor gardening.
Top 4 advantages of greenhouse gardening
- Controlled Environment - Greenhouses create an optimal growing environment where plants are shielded from bad weather and protected in a temperature controlled environment. Sunlight and outdoor temperatures can vary greatly from day to night and from season to season, but in a greenhouse, these are factors that you will not need to consider. Humidity is also an important aspect of growing a garden. Plants in outdoor gardens typically face some level of stress in drier conditions, but greenhouses keep the air humid which plants adore. Outdoor gardeners also have to deal with pathogens and insects invading their gardens, but greenhouse gardens are far less likely to be invaded by fungi, bacteria and pest. These types of outdoor gardening pests wreak havoc on your garden and can be very time consuming to deal with and detrimental to the health of your plants.
- Garden in any Weather - You won't need to wait for a sunny day to garden when you have a greenhouse. Rain, wind or frost, a greenhouse protects your plants and YOU from bad weather. It makes gardening more convenient and comfortable, day or night. Bonus: use your greenhouse space to store your tools, equipment and supplies.
- Extend Your Growing Season - Your growing season is prolonged by several months in a greenhouse. Ground frost or even snow, depending on how low the temperatures drop in the winter, cause water in plant cells to freeze. You can easily spot plants that have been affected by frost as they'll appear limp and their leaves blackened. Greenhouse gardening enables you to eliminate the risk of your plants being damaged by ground frost. Depending on where you live, it could also mean having the ability to garden all year round. A longer growing season means higher yields, which translates into more delicious raw food on your table and savings in your pocket. Not a bad deal. It also means you are not bound to the typical planting season, which makes greenhouse gardening more flexible.
- Grow Organic - A wonderful benefit of gardening at home is the ability to have full control over the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. With the use of these harmful synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in conventional farming, more consumers are choosing to buy organic produce or simply wanting control over the food they consume. When you grow your own produce, you have the reassurance that it's free of synthetic pesticides and it's been ripened naturally. There is also a growing consciousness that the benefits of eating organic foods extend beyond one's own health and extend to the health of the entire planet. Did you know that food on average travels about 2,500 kms before it reaches our kitchens. Agricultural processes in general contribute to a large proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, so you're doing your part to reduce those greenhouse gas emissions and protect the planet when you grow your own produce.
If you want to see for yourself the growing power of a greenhouse, then visit our Greenhouse product page to watch a fun Greenhouse video of Jared, a young boy who planted tomato plants inside and outside of his family's greenhouse. You won't believe your eyes.